Expert: Dan Griffin - 1/2/2008

Question
We have an existing car port and we enclosed it to create additional masterbedroom.  We wanted an exit door but the height from the trusses has made it difficult to keep a standard size door.  To keep masonary opening for standard door we couldnt add a continous tie-beam. I need the best suggestion as to what can be done for a header I  have exactly 80 plus inches to work with but no header nor tie beam to suppor trusses.
Thank you

Answer
You lost me a bit.

The bottom bearing point of the existing car port trusses is 80" above finish floor?  What is carrying the trusses now?  Are these typical wood "W" trusses or something else? What have you done for an exterior footing?  HOw have you stopped water penetration at the floor line?  How have you dealt with sloped carport concrete?  You mention a masonry opening so I assume this is a block wall.  HOw are you carrying the masonry load?  How will the car port roof be carried in relation to this/these walls?

Has this work been inspected and will it be inspected?  Masonry walls require horizontal and vertical reinforcement by grout filling rebar filled cells.  Give me a bit more information to try to help, but this is not sounding good.